Has Peptic Ulcer Disease Changed During the Past Ten Years in Korea? A Prospective Multi-center Study

Background The incidence of H. pylori-negative, idiopathic peptic ulcer disease (IPUD) seems to be increasing with the changing trends of PUD and H. pylori infection in some developed countries. Aim To investigate the changing trend of PUD and the prevalence of H. pylori infection during the last decade and the prevalence of IPUD in Korea. Methods We prospectively evaluated H. pylori infection and the characteristics of PUD in 895 patients with newly diagnosed PUD from September 2004 to February 2005. Results The H. pylori infection rate in PUD was 72.0% and the proportion of IPUD was 22.2%. The proportion of gastric ulcer (GU) has significantly increased (47.8% vs. 44.3%) and the proportion of duodenal ulcer (DU) has significantly decreased (38.9% vs. 44.9%) compared with ten years ago. The changing trend in the prevalence of H. pylori infection in GU and DU showed an increase in GU (66.1% vs. 73.1%, P = 0.014) and a decrease in DU (79.3% vs. 68.1%, P = 0.001). Conclusion Compared with our results of ten years ago, there has been a significant change in the distribution of PUD and in the prevalence of H. pylori infection in GU and DU. Patients with IPUD are not uncommon in Korea.     

Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori-negative peptic ulcer: a multicenter study

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has been described in the absence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, suggesting that different factors are involved in its etiopathogenesis. We investigated prevalence and characteristics of Hp-negative (Hp-) PUD in an area of Northern Italy and calculated the rate of Hp-positive (Hp+) patients with PUD in whom Hp might be coincidental and not causal. Four hundred nine consecutive patients with endoscopically diagnosed PUD were enrolled in seven hospitals. Hp infection was assessed by rapid urease test and histologic examination. The attributable risk percentages in different age groups were calculated by appropriate formulas. Of 409 patients, 31 (7.6%) were Hp- (gastric, 8.3%; duodenal, 7.6%). Age, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption, and complication rates were significantly higher in Hp-than Hp+ patients with duodenal ulcers (DUs). Of the Hp-patients with DU, 58% did not use NSAIDs. In patients with Hp+ DU, the attributable risk percentage for Hp infection in patients aged <40 years, 40-60 years, or >60 years was 98%, 88%, and 66%, respectively. The prevalence of Hp- PUD was about 8%, mainly unrelated to any known etiologic factor. In about one-third of Hp+ patients with PUD aged over 60 years, Hp infection might be coincidental and not causal.     

门脉高压性胃病患者幽门螺杆菌感染率调查

目的探讨幽门螺杆菌（Hp）与肝硬化并发胃和十二指肠病变的关系。方法采用快速尿素酶试验和改良的Giemsa染色法检测Hp感染。结果在264例肝硬化患者,Hp阳性183例（69．4％）,在262例慢性胃炎（EG）患者,Hp阳性172例（66．4％,19〉0．05）;在79例肝硬化伴有PHG患者,Hp阳性60例（75．9％）,在114例肝硬化不伴PHG患者,Hp阳性75例（65．8％）,在37例肝硬化伴轻型PHG患者,Hp阳性26例（70．2％）,在42例肝硬化伴重型PHG患者,Hp阳性34例（80．9％,P〉0．05）;在56例肝硬化伴十二指肠溃疡（DU）患者,Hp阳性48例（85．7％）,在109例肝硬化不伴消化性溃疡（Pu）患者,Hp阳性67例（61．4％,P〈0．05）;在125例DU患者,Hp阳性112例（89．6％）;在28例肝硬化伴胃溃疡（GU）患者,Hp阳性20例（71．4％）,在47例GU患者,Hp阳性43例（91．5％）。结论肝硬化伴DU患者Hp感染率较高。     

Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency may be a risk factor for duodenal ulcer in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Most individuals with Helicobacter pylori infection in Western countries have no evidence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). We therefore assessed the PiZ deficiency variant of the major plasma protease inhibitor alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1AT) as a risk factor for PUD in H. pylori-infected individuals. METHODS: The cohort comprised 100 patients with endoscopically or surgically proven PUD (30 patients with duodenal ulcer (DU) and 70 patients with gastric ulcer (GU)) and 162 age- and sex-matched controls with PUD-negative endoscopic findings and no history of PUD. Plasma samples were screened for alpha1AT deficiency (PiZ) with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and phenotyped by isoelectric focusing. H. pylori infection was evaluated with an IgG ELISA technique. RESULTS: Among the 262 patients 17 (6.5%) were positive for the PiZ alpha1AT deficiency, a frequency of the same magnitude as in the Swedish general population (4.7%). Of the PiZ carriers 76% (13 of 17) had H. pylori antibodies compared with 61% (151 of 245) of the non-PiZ carriers (NS). The prevalence of DU tended to be higher in H. pylori-positive PiZ carriers than in non-PiZ carriers (15.4%, 4 of 26 versus 0 of 4). Furthermore, among patients with DU a high PiZ allele frequency (13.3%, 4 of 30) was found compared with the general population (4.7%) (odds ratio (OR), 3.2; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-8.94; P = 0.02). All DU patients carrying the PiZ allele were positive for H. pylori. In addition, four of five PiZ carriers with H. pylori infection and PUD had DU. CONCLUSIONS: The PiZ allele may be a contributing factor in the development of DU in H. pylori-positive individuals.     

消化不良者胃镜检查适应证的探讨

目的:进一步探讨消化不良患者胃镜检查的适应证。方法:经胃镜、病理检查的4500例消化不良患者分为<45岁及≥45岁组,并进一步分为Hp阳性和Hp阴性组。比较同一年龄组不同Hp状态及不同年龄组间检查结果,并对<45岁、Hp阴性消化性溃疡易患因素作进一步分析。结果:<45岁消化性溃疡(PU)Hp阳性率高:十二指肠球部溃疡(DU)94.2％,胃溃疡(GU)86.4％≥45岁Hp阴性PU发生率升高(DU22.7％,GU33.3％)。<45岁胃癌发生率显著低于≥45岁组(P<0.01),且在≥45岁组胃癌Hp多为阴性(68.4％)。病理结果表明,<45岁组慢性萎缩性胃炎、肠上皮化生及异型增生患者人数及病变程度均显著少于并轻于≥45岁组(P<0.05,P<0.01),且在≥45岁组上述病变多发生在Hp阴性组。另外,<45岁Hp阴性PU发生主要与遗传、服用NSAIDs药物、饮酒或精神紧张有关。结论:消化不良患者胃镜检查适应证应该是(1)≥45岁。(2)<45岁Hp阳性。(3)<45岁、Hp阴性症状持续、治疗无效,尤其伴有进行性消瘦、纳差及贫血者。(4)<45岁Hp阴性、有PU遗传史、长期服用NSAID药物、饮酒或精神紧张者.(5)约20％～30％患者可免于胃镜检查。     

Influence of climatic factors in the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Previous reports have indicated seasonal fluctuations in the incidence of peptic ulcer activity, but the reasons for the seasonal pattern are not clear. We assessed the seasonal incidence of hematemesis caused by peptic ulcers or gastroesophageal varices, and the correlations between those and climatic factors. METHODS: We examined the number of cases of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding caused by gastric ulcer (GU), duodenal ulcer (DU), or gastroesophageal varices (varix) diagnosed by urgent endoscopies between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1999 in our hospital (Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutou Hospital). We evaluated the monthly and seasonal incidence of them and investigated correlations among the incidence and climatic factors. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-one patients participated in this study, including 275 patients with GU (62.4%), 51 (11.6%) with DU, and 115 (26.0%) with varix. The number of cases of hematemesis caused by GU showed significant monthly and seasonal fluctuations (P = 0.0002, P = 0.0018): it decreased in summer and increased in autumn-winter. Moreover, there were inverse relations between the monthly number of cases of hematemesis caused by GU and the mean temperature (P = 0.0016) and vapor pressure (P = 0.0013), and a parallel relation to the mean atmospheric pressure (P = 0.0057). In contrast, the number of cases of hematemesis caused by DU and varices did not show any monthly or seasonal fluctuations. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the incidence of hematemesis because of GU had an inverse relationship to temperature and vapor pressure, and had a parallel relation to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, climatic factors may play an important role in hemorrhage from GU.     

Prevalence and time trend of intestinal metaplasia in Hong Kong

Background and Methods:  Upper endoscopy records from 1998 to 2003 were reviewed. The demographic data, endoscopic diagnosis, results of rapid urease test and the absence or presence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) in histology were reviewed, to evaluate the prevalence of IM and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection over time in Hong Kong.
Results:  Among 1805 endoscopies performed, 1751 had both rapid urease test and histology available. A significant drop in the prevalence of duodenal ulcers from 17.9% in 1998 to 9.8% in 2003 was found ( P  = 0.015). Prevalence of IM was 13.9%, 5.9% and 9.4% in Hp positive, Hp negative and overall respectively ( P  < 0.05). The prevalence of IM increased with age, and the patterns were similar amongst subjects in 1998–2000 and those in 2001–2003. There was progressive decrease in Hp prevalence from 58% in 1998 to 40% in 2001 ( P  = 0.014), but no further decrease was seen in 2002–3. There was no corresponding decrease in IM prevalence. Instead IM prevalence in 2002–2003 was significantly higher than the prevalence in previous few years ( P  = 0.04).
Conclusion:  The prevalence of IM did not change in the period from 1998 to 2003 despite a drop in the prevalence of Hp infection since 1994.     

维敏四联治疗Hp相关的消化性溃疡

目的应用维敏胶囊（胶态果胶铋）四联药物疗法治疗Hp相关的消化性溃疡（PU）2wk，停药4wk后经内镜、14C-UBT等方法观察溃疡的愈合及Hp根除的疗效方法经内镜确诊为PU，其中十二指肠溃疡（DU）169例；胃溃疡（GU）89例．受检前2wk内未服抗生素、铋剂及质子泵阻断剂，排除孕妇和溃疡出血者，并镜下活检病理排除恶性溃疡Hp检测：先行快速尿素酶检测（RUT），阳性者再行14C-UBT检测，其中DU的Hp阳性率为95．5％；GU的Hp阳性率为81．0％．四联治疗方法：对Hp阳性PU，给予维敏胶囊100mg，4次／d；兰索拉唑30mg，2次／d；阿莫西林0．5g，4次／d；甲硝唑0．4g，2次／d，疗程为2wk．停药后4wk，同时复查内镜及14G-UBT．结果DU愈合率91．2％，Hp根除率93．0％；GU愈合率86．0％，Hp根除率92．0％．DU和GU愈合率及Hp根除率差异不明显（P＞0．05）；四联疗法后肝肾功能无异常结论Hp与PU关系密切．采用四联治疗Hp相关的PU，有良好效果．14GUBT检测Hp感染具有很高的敏感性和特异性，无创伤性，是治疗后复查Hp的首选方法     

H pylori infection and other risk factors associated with peptic ulcers in Turkish patients： A retrospective study

AIM: To identify and evaluate the relative impact of H pylori infection and other risk factors on the occurrence of gastric ulcer (GU), duodenal ulcer (DU) and gastritis in Turkish patients. METHODS: A total of 4471 patients (48.3% female) out of 4863 attended the Samatya hospital in Istanbul (June 1999 - October 2003) were included. The records of H pylori status (CLO-test), endoscopic f indings of GU, DU and gastritis, personal habits (smoking, alcohol intake) and medication [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin intake] were analyzed using multi-way frequency analysis. RESULTS: We have found that GU in the presence of H pylori had significant association with aspirin (P = 0.0001), alcohol (P = 0.0090) and NSAIDs (P = 0.0372). DU on the other hand had significant association with aspirin/ smoking/NSAIDs (P = 0.0259), aspirin/alcohol (P = 0.0002) and aspirin/smoking (P = 0.0233), also in the presence of H pylori. In the absence of H pylori GU had significant association with alcohol/NSAIDs (P = 0.0431), and NSAIDs (P = 0.0436). While DU in the absence of H pylori had significant association with smoking/alcohol/ NSAIDs (P = 0.0013), aspirin/NSAIDs (P = 0.0334), aspirin/alcohol (P = 0.0360). CONCLUSION: In the presence of H pylori, aspirin, alcohol and NSAIDs intake act as an independent risk factors that had an augmenting impact on the occurrence of GU and only together on the occurrence of DU in Turkish patients.     

Characteristics of gastric cancer in peptic ulcer patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

AIM:To evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of gastric cancer(GC) in peptic ulcer patients with Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) infection.METHODS:Between January 2003 and December 2013, the medical records of patients diagnosed with GC were retrospectively reviewed.Those with previous gastric ulcer(GU) and H.pylori infection were assigned to the Hp GU-GC group(n = 86) and those with previous duodenal ulcer(DU) disease and H.pylori infection were assigned to the Hp DUGC group(n = 35).The incidence rates of GC in the Hp GU-GC and Hp DU-GC groups were analyzed.Data on demographics(age, gender, peptic ulcer complications and cancer treatment), GC clinical characteristics [location, pathological diagnosis, differentiation, T stage, Lauren's classification, atrophy of surrounding mucosa and intestinal metaplasia(IM)], outcome of eradication therapy for H.pylori infection, esophagogastroduodenoscopy number and the duration until GC onset were reviewed.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors influencing GC development.The relative risk of GC was evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS:The incidence rates of GC were 3.60%(86/2387) in the Hp GU-GC group and 1.66%(35/2098) in the Hp DU-GC group.The annual incidence was 0.41% in the Hp GU-GC group and 0.11% in the Hp DUGC group.The rates of moderate-to-severe atrophy of the surrounding mucosa and IM were higher in the Hp GU-GC group than in the Hp DU-GC group(86% vs 34.3%, respectively, and 61.6% vs 14.3%, respectively, P 0.05).In the univariate analysis, atrophy of surrounding mucosa, IM and eradication therapy for H.pylori infection were significantly associated with the development of GC(P 0.05).There was no significant difference in the prognosis of GC patients between the Hp GU-GC and Hp DU-GC groups(P = 0.347).The relative risk of GC development in the Hp GUGC group compared to that of the Hp DU-GC group,after correction for age and gender,was 1.71(95%CI:1.09-2.70;P=0.02).CONCLUSION:GU patients with H.pylori infection had higher GC incidence rates and relative risks.Atrophy of surrounding mucosa,IM and eradication therapy were associated with GC.     

Erosive esophagitis in the Philippines: a comparison between two time periods

BACKGROUND: In Asia, the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnosed through endoscopy has increased from 3-9% to 14-16% in the last decade. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of erosive esophagitis (EE) over a span of 10 years in a tertiary care facility in the Philippines. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with EE from 1994 to 1997 (period A) and from 2000 to 2003 (period B) were included in the study. The modified Savary-Miller and Los Angeles classifications were used to grade EE for periods A and B, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 15 981 upper endoscopies were evaluated for this study. There was no significant difference in the male: female ratio (period A 1.43:1 vs period B 1.25:1, P = 0.459) and in the mean age of patients with EE (period A 46.4 vs period B 47.5, P = 0.395). The prevalence of EE was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in period B (6.3%) as compared to period A (2.9%). However, despite a higher prevalence, more patients had mild esophagitis in period B as compared to period A. Conversely, there were more patients with esophageal ulcers (18.6%vs 5.9%, P < 0.001), esophageal strictures (2.3%vs 0%, P = 0.003), and hiatal hernia (15.8%vs 7.5%, P = 0.001) in period A. The presence of concomitant Barrett's esophagus was not significantly different between the two time periods (period A 3.2%vs period B 5%, P = 0.367). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EE was higher in 2000-2003 than in 1994-1997, although the complications associated with the disease diminished. The prevalence of concomitant Barrett's esophagus remained stable.     

Different risk factors influence peptic ulcer disease development in a Brazilian population

AIM: To investigate age, sex, histopathology and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status, as risk factors for gastroduodenal disease outcome in Brazilian dyspeptic patients.tients submitted to upper gastroscopy at Hospital das Clinicas of Marilia, antral biopsy specimens were obtained and subjected to histopathology and H. pylori diagnosis. All patients presenting chronic gastritis (CG) and peptic ulcer (PU) disease localized in the stomach, gastric ulcer (GU) and/or duodenal ulcer (DU) were included in the study. Gastric biopsies (n = 668) positive for H. pylori by rapid urease test were investigated for vacuolating cytotoxin A (vacA ) medium (m) region mosaicism by polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was performed to verify the association of age, sex, histopathologic alterations, H. pylori diagnosis and vacA m region mosaicism with the incidence of DU, GU and CG in patients. RESULTS: Of 1466 patients submitted to endoscopy, 1060 (72.3%) presented CG [male/female = 506/554; mean age (year) ± SD = 51.2 ± 17.81], 88 (6.0%) presented DU [male/female = 54/34; mean age (year) ± SD = 51.4 ± 17.14], and 75 (5.1%) presented GU [male/female = 54/21; mean age (year) ± SD = 51.3 ± 17.12] and were included in the comparative analysis. Sex and age showed no detectable effect on CG incidence (overall c 2 = 2.1, P = 0.3423). Sex [Odds ratios (OR) = 1.8631, P = 0.0058] but not age (OR = 0.9929, P = 0.2699) was associated with DU and both parameters had a highly significant effect on GU (overall c 2 = 30.5, P 0.0001). The histopathological results showed a significant contribution of ageing for both atrophy (OR = 1.0297, P 0.0001) and intestinal metaplasia (OR = 1.0520, P 0.0001). Presence of H. pylori was significantly associated with decreasing age (OR = 0.9827, P 0.0001) and with the incidence of DU (OR = 3.6077, P 0.0001). The prevalence of m1 in DU was statistically significant (OR = 2.3563, P = 0.0018) but not in CG (OR = 2.678, P = 0.0863) and GU (OR = 1.520, P = 0.2863). CONCLUSION: In our population, male gender was a risk factor for PU; ageing for GU, atrophy and metapla-sia; and H. pylori of vacA m1 genotype for DU.     

Association of Helicobacter pylori IgA antibodies with the risk of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer

AIM: To compare the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) IgG and IgA antibodies between adult subjects, with defined gastric diseases, nondefined gastric disorders and those representing the population. METHODS: Data on H pylori IgG and IgA antibodies, determined by enzyme immunoassay, were analyzed in 3 252 subjects with DGD including 482 patients with gastric ulcer, 882 patients with duodenal ulcer, 1 525 patients with chronic gastritis only and 363 subjects with subsequent gastric cancer, 19 145 patients with NoDg and 4 854 POPUL subjects. The age-adjusted prevalences were calculated for 1-and 20-year age cohorts. RESULTS: The prevalences of IgG antibodies were equally high (89-96%) in all 20-year age cohorts of the DGD groups, whereas the prevalences of IgG antibodies were lower and increased by age in the POPUL and NoDg groups. The prevalences of IgA antibodies were also higher in the DGD groups; among them CA (84-89%) and GU groups (78-91%) showed significantly higher prevalences than DU (68-77%) and CG patients (59-74%) (OR 2.49, 95%CI 1.86-3.34 between the GU and DU groups). In the CA, GU, and DU groups, the IgA prevalences showed only minor variation according to age, while they increased by age in the CG, POPUL, and NoDg groups (P≤0.0001). The IgA response, but not the IgG response, was associated with an increased risk of CA (OR 2.41, 95%CI 1.79-3.53) and GU (OR 2.57, 95%CI 1.95-3.39) in comparison with CG patients. CONCLUSION: An IgA antibody response during H pylori infection is significantly more common in CA and GU patients as compared with CG patients.     

Gastric Carcinoid Tumors Without Autoimmune Gastritis in Japan: A Relationship with Helicobacter pylori Infection

In Japan, most cases of gastric carcinoid tumor (GCT) are unassociated with either autoimmune gastritis (AIG) showing type-A chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG-A) or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES). However, the pathogenesis of this tumor remains unknown. Recent studies have determined that Helicobacter pylori infection induces gastric carcinoid in Mongolian gerbils and that H. pylori lipopolysaccharide exerts a mitogenic effect on ECL cells. We examined five patients with histologically diagnosed GCT, 40 patients with H. pylori-positive gastric ulcer (Hp+GU), 24 patients with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcer (Hp+DU), and 12 patients with AIG showing CAG-A topographically. We compared the prevalence of H. pylori infection, and the levels of gastrin and pepsinogen (PG) in the serum of patients with GCT with those of patients with Hp+GU, or Hp+DU, and AIG. We also investigated the histological characteristics of the tumor and the gastric corpus mucosa in the GCT patients. The levels of serum gastrin and PG I and II were measured using an RIA kit. In all five (100%) patients with GCT, H. pylori infection was present, without any evidence of AIG or ZES. The serum levels of gastrin in the GCT patients were higher than those in either Hp+GU or Hp+DU patients and lower than those in the AIG patients. In contrast, serum PG I levels and the PG I/II ratio were lower in the GCT group than in the Hp+GU or Hp+DU groups. Histologically, all GCTs were ECL cell tumors and peritumoral corporal mucosal atrophy was observed in four of the five patients with GCT. In conclusions, H. pylori infection and hypergastrinemia were found in the patients with GCT without AIG. This finding suggests that H. pylori infection may induce corporal mucosal atrophy and hypergastrinemia that can produce a GCT with time.     

Prevalence and genetic diversity of cagD, cagE, and vacA in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Japanese patients

BACKGROUND: Although cagD and cagE (cagDE) identified upstream of cagA have been shown to be involved in the induction of interleukin (IL)-8 expression, the relationship between cagDE status and gastroduodenal diseases still remains to be examined. Thus we investigated prevalence and genetic diversity of cagD, cagE, and vacA in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from patients with peptic ulcer or gastritis. METHODS: We analyzed 73 H. pylori strains isolated from Japanese patients (gastritis (GA), 15; gastric ulcer (GU), 28; duodenal ulcer (DU), 23; GU and DU, 7). The presence of cagDE was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern hybridization. The vacA genotype was examined by PCR, using type-specific primers. RESULTS: cagDE was present in 13 (86.7%) of 15 patients with GA, 26 (92.9%) of 28 patients with GU, 21 (91.3%) of 23 patients with DU, and 6 (85.7%) of 7 patients with GU and DU (P = 0.89). vacA signal sequence type s1 was found in 14 (93.3%) of 15 patients with GA, 26 (92.9%) of 28 patients with GU, 22 (95.7%) of 23 patients with DU, and 6 (85.7%) of 7 patients with GU and DU (P = 0.84). Sequences of cagDE and vacA in our Japanese strains were highly homologous with one another, and there were no disease-specific mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the H. pylori strains in Japan were cagDE-positive, vacA s1 type, regardless of clinical outcome. The present study also indicated that these genes were conserved well among our H. pylori isolates.     

Clinical relevance of Helicobacter pylori CagA-positive strains: gastroduodenal peptic lesions marker.

OBJECTIVES: peptic ulcer is characterized by its recurrent nature, which necessitates maintenance treatment in most patients. But this natural history can be changed in patients with peptic ulcer associated to Helicobacter pylori, as shown by the low rates of recurrence and decreased hemorrhagic recidivism associated with this infection. Whether CagA or VacA strains are associated with a greater risk of peptic ulcer is controversial. This study was designed to examine endoscopic findings and their relation with H. pylori phenotype (CagA or VacA). METHODS: 106 selected dyspeptic patients underwent upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopic examination between September 1996 and May 1997 [69 with H. pylori (Hp) and 37 without this infection]. Endoscopic findings were classified as gastric ulcer (GU), duodenal ulcer (DU), gastric erosions (GE), duodenitis (Du), chronic gastritis (CG) and normal mucosa (NM). Hp phenotype was analyzed with a western blot test. RESULTS: 75% of H. pylori strains were CagA-positive and 54.2% were VacA-positive. 82.4% of the cases of DU were associated with a CagA+ phenotype, but the association was not statistically significant. Otherwise 100% of gastric ulcers were associated with CagA+ strains (p < 0.005). VacA phenotype was not associated with any particular endoscopic finding. Peptic ulcer (DU or GU) was also associated with the CagA+ phenotype (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: the CagA+ H. pylori phenotype seems to be a peptic lesion marker, but was more frequently related with GU than with DU in our sample of Spanish patients.     

Gastric and duodenal ulcer in the same patient

No extensive endoscopic studies have been performed on the prevalence and the clinical outcome of association of gastric ulcer (GU) and duodenal ulcer (DU). The present investigation, partially retrospective and partially prospective, takes into account 715 patients with active ulcer demonstrated by endoscopy, followed-up for a mean period of 3.8-years; 23 of them (3.2%) were found to have synchronous or asynchronous gastric and duodenal ulcers. The following characteristics were investigated: age of onset of both diseases, ulcer family history, cigarette and alcohol consumption, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs abuse, serum pepsinogen group I, ABO and Lewis blood groups, healing and relapse rate under H2-blocker treatment. The first diagnosis (by either X-Ray or endoscopy) was DU in 500 subjects (70%), GU in 210 (29.3%) and synchronous gastric and duodenal ulcers in 5 (0.7%). After a median period of 10 years, 2.8% of DU patients developed a GU; after 2-12 yrs 1.9% of GU patients developed a DU. The clinical and biochemical findings of our GU/DU patients suggest that the two ulcers are related by chance. In conclusion: asynchronous GU/DU patients do not seem to have a distinct disease in the large spectrum of ulcer disease. Larger studies must be planned on synchronous GU/DU with the aim of assessing whether or not it represents a particular type of ulcer disease.     

Helicobacter pylori eradication ameliorates symptoms and improves quality of life in patients on long-term acid suppression. A large prospective study in primary care

Our objective was to determine prescribing patterns for H₂ receptor antagonists (H₂RA) in primary care and to establish the prevalence and impact of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication in this population of patients. Patients on long-term (6 months or longer) H₂RA were identified through a computerized database at the six primary care practices in North England. Hp status was identified by serology, and those positive received standard proton pump-based triple therapy followed by a urea breath test to confirm Hp eradication. The main outcome measures were the indications for prescribing long-term H₂RA in primary care, the prevalence of patients with a positive Hp serology, and the impact of Hp eradication on the subsequent need for acid suppression, severity of dyspepsia, gastrointestinal symptom rating score (GSRS), quality of life (QOL), and overall feeling of well-being. One thousand seven (1.5%) patients were on long-term H₂RA. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) was the most common indication for prescribing (42%), followed by nonulcer dyspepsia (28%) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (23%). In 81% of the patients treatment with H₂RA therapy followed a previous endoscopic or radiological investigation. Only 27 (2.5%) patients had had their Hp status checked within the last 6 months. Of the 471 patients who eventually had their Hp serology tested, 297 (63%) were Hp positive. Fifty-eight percent of the Hp-positive patients had PUD. Successful Hp eradication was achieved in 250 (84%) of the patients, of whom 247 (83%) finished the 1-year follow-up. This was associated with a significant reduction in the amount of H₂RA being consumed (P < 0.00001). There was also a significant improvement in the symptom scores and the GSRS after successful Hp eradication (P < 0.00001). Overall 67% of the patients reported an improvement in the QOL and 77% noted a feeling of well-being 1 year after Hp eradication. A significant proportion of patients in primary care is still being maintained on long-term H₂RA, imposing a considerable financial drain on the NHS resources. Approximately two-thirds of these patients will be Hp positive, and among them the largest group will comprise patients with PUD. Hp eradication in such patients results in a significant reduction in usage of acid suppression and an improvement in overall QOL and severity of dyspeptic symptoms.     

Role of myosin light chain kinase in intestinal epithelial barrier defects in a rat model of bowel obstruction

Background

Previous studies have reported seasonal variation in peptic ulcer disease (PUD), but few large-scale, population-based studies have been conducted.

Methods

To verify whether a seasonal variation in cases of PUD (either compicated or not complicated) requiring acute hospitalization exists, we assessed the database of hospital admissions of the region Emilia Romagna (RER), Italy, obtained from the Center for Health Statistics, between January 1998 and December 2005. Admissions were categorized by sex, age (<65, 65-74, ≥ 75 yrs), site of PUD lesion (stomach or duodenum), main complication (hemorrhage or perforation), and final outcome (intended as fatal outcome: in-hospital death; nonfatal outcome: patient discharged alive). Temporal patterns in PUD admissions were assessed in two ways, considering a) total counts per single month and season, and b) prevalence proportion, such as the monthly prevalence of PUD admissions divided by the monthly prevalence of total hospital admissions, to assess if the temporal patterns in the raw data might be the consequence of seasonal and annual variations in hospital admissions per se in the region. For statistical analysis, the χ2 test for goodness of fit and inferential chronobiologic method (Cosinor and partial Fourier series) were used.

Results

Of the total sample of PUD patients (26,848 [16,795 males, age 65 ± 16 yrs; 10,053 females, age 72 ± 15 yrs, p < 0.001)], 7,151 were <65 yrs of age, 8,849 between 65 and 74 yrs of age, and 10,848 ≥ 75 yrs of age. There were more cases of duodenal (DU). (89.8%) than gastric ulcer (GU) (3.6%), and there were 1,290 (4.8%) fatal events. Data by season showed a statistically difference with the lowest proportion of PUD hospital admissions in summer (23.3%) (p < 0.001), for total cases and rather all subgroups. Chronobiological analysis identified three major peaks of PUD hospitalizations (September-October, January-February, and April-May) for the whole sample (p = 0.035), and several subgroups, with nadir in July. Finally, analysis of the monthly prevalence proportions yielded a significant (p = 0.025) biphasic pattern with a main peak in August-September-October, and a secondary one in January-February.

Conclusions

A seasonal variation in PUD hospitalization, characterized by three peaks of higher incidence (Autumn, Winter, and Spring) is observed. When data corrected by monthly admission proportions are analyzed, late summer-autumn and winter are confirmed as higher risk periods. The underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are unknown, and need further studies. In subjects at higher risk, certain periods of the year could deserve an appropriate pharmacological protection to reduce the risk of PUD hospitalization.     

Period prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance and cardiovascular risk factors among obese children attending an obesity centre in Italy

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Several reports have described an increasing prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes among children. Limited information is available about the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes in obese children, particularly in Europe. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of glucose intolerance and other cardiovascular risk factors in obese children over a 24-year period. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 1376 consecutive subjects who attended a national centre for the study of obesity between 1979 and 2002. Subjects were divided into three successive 8-year cohorts: cohort 1 (period 1979-1986, n=453, male: 39%), cohort 2 (period 1987-1994, n=409, male: 46%), cohort 3 (period 1995-2002, n=514, male: 48%). All subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Lipids, blood pressure, uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting insulin and birth weight were recorded. Insulin resistance was measured by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). The degree of obesity was higher in the more recent cohorts (standard deviation score of body mass index: 3.3+/-0.04 vs. 3.7+/-0.04 vs. 3.8+/-0.03, P<0.0001). The proportion of subjects with glucose intolerance was lower in the last two cohorts compared with the first one (11.2% vs. 3.9% vs. 6.0%, P<0.0001). This was predominantly due to changes in the frequency of IGT (9.1% vs. 3.2% vs. 5.4%, P<0.001 in cohorts 1, 2 and 3, respectively) while the prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose was similar in the three cohorts (0.9% vs. 0% vs. 0.2% and 1.3% vs. 0.7% vs. 0.4%, respectively). After adjustment for differences in age, sex, pubertal status and birth weight the levels of fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure, were significantly lower in cohorts 2 and 3 than in cohort 1 while CRP and uric acid were higher in the last two cohorts. CONCLUSION: Over a recent period spanning 24 years, the degree of obesity has risen but the prevalence of glucose intolerance has fallen in obese children admitted to an obesity centre. This was accompanied by an improvement in traditional but a worsening in non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.